Corrosion inhibiting method and apparatus



Nov. 24, 1959 G. c. BULL 2,914,377

CORROSION INHIBITING METHOD AND APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 9, 1951 IN V EN TOR.

GZZ/V (T Bill N 1959 G.'C. BULL 2,914,377

CORROSION INHIBITING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed NOV. 9, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 615v Cf 5:141.

Unite CORROSION INHIBITING METHOD AND APPARATUS This invention relates generally to the corrosion-proof packaging and storage of varied objects of a corrodible nature. Specifically, the instant invention is directed to the provision of a novel and useful method for packaging or storing corrodent articles in corrosion-proof condition together with a new article of manufacture designed to facilitate the practice of this method.

There are certain criteria which must be satisfied in order to most effectively condition packaged and stored articles against corrosion. These requirements include the elimination of air laden with moisture and foreign corrosive elements from the storage area, the sealing of the area in a closed condition to prevent the entry of additional moisture carrying air, and the provision within the closed area of a corrosion inhibiting agent in such a manner as to permit the agent to efiiciently protect the area against corrosive action.

To date there has been no known single means of presenting a corrosion inhibiting agent in operative condition under the innumerable and varied physical conditions encountered in the art.

The primary object of this invention resides in the provision of a method for conditioning the interior of a closed area against corrosion of the interior and of corrodible articles stored within the area.

Another prime object of this invention resides in the provision of a new article of manufacture which takes the form of a carrier for corrosion inhibiting agents which is-adaptable to be used with the maximum of efliciency under any and all circumstances encountered.

Still another and salient object of this invention rests in the provision of a method as set forth which is ex- States Patent tremely inexpensive to practice with a great increase in efiiciency over those presently practiced methods.

Still a further object and advantage of this invention is the provision of .a carrier for corrosion inhibiting agents to be used in the practice of the aforedescribed method which can be formed or molded in any desired of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following description when read in the light of the accompanying drawings which are merely illustrative of the many applications of the present invention. 4

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 illustrates the structure constituting the carrier article.

Fig. 2 discloses a modified form of the basic carrier.

Fig. 3 shows a second modification of the carrier.

" Fig. 4 illustrates'the use of the new article in a storage container.

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Fig. 5 shows a method of corrosion-proofing a container utilizing the new article.

Fig. 6 illustrates the method as employed in conditioning a gun barrel.

Fig. 7 illustrates a modification of the structure shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 discloses the method as utilized in conditioning a 'vehicle interior.

Fig. 9 illustrates the invention in an individual gun case.

Fig. 10 illustrates a shroud embodying the present invention. I

Fig. 11 illustrates a modified adoption of the new article of manufacture.

Fig. 12 illustrates a modified method under the present invention.

Referring now in particular detail to the appended drawings in which like references refer to like parts throughout, numeral 10 designates a porous material such as compounds of neoprene, rubber, Vinylite (vinyl-chloride) and cellulose, natural vegetable sponge, or other like intersticed material of flexible characteristic and which is capable of being formed or molded in any desired shape. This porous material 10 serves as a versatile, inexpensive, and effective carrier for any of the commercial corrosion inhibiting agents such as oil and grease compounds, asphalt and bitumen compounds, desiccants such as silica gels, and vapor phase inhibitors.

It becomes readily apparent that those inhibitors available in crystalline form could be imbedded in the interstices of a flexible, intersticed material by sifting or sprinkling the inhibitor into the material while the material is maintained in a flexed condition to be retained therein when the material is allowed to resume its normal shape. in addition, those inhibitors which are capable of being placed in solution with distilled water or the like could be imbedded in the flexible, porous carrier by soaking the same in the solution and then permitting the water to evaporate by drying the material leaving the inhibitor imbedded in the material.

In the modified, or supplemented carrier as shown in Figure 2 an air-tight, tear resistant backing sheet 11 is bonded to one surface of the porous carrier. This structure permits certain of the important applications of the invention to be practiced, as will be seen in the descriptive matter to follow.

Figure 3 discloses still another modified form of the basic carrier ll) wherein an adhesive backing 12 is applied to one surface of the carrier whereby still further applications of the basic method set forth may be practiced.

In Figure 4 there is shown a storage container 13- provided with a closure or lid 14. This container as shown is merely illustrative of any of a number of containers used for the long term storage of corrodible articles of varied types and forms. To effectively create a corrosion proof condition within the interior of the container, strips or masses of the porous carrier impregnated with a suitable inhibiting agent are secured at selected positions about the container interior.

Then, when the corrodible articles to be stored have been placed in the container the lid is closed and sealed in an air-tight condition by any one of many known and successful methods.

Generally, it has been found that the crystalline, vapor phase type inhibitors are the most efilcient and practical inhibitors to be used in the method and apparatus comprising the instant invention.

In Figure 5 there is disclosed an application of the basic method provided. In the practice illustrated here there is shown a container 15, illustrative of a container of the type wherein it is often desirable to protect the interior of the container itself against corrosion. This would be the case with regard to gasoline and like storage tanks and similar containers. In storing the container 15, portions of the impregnated, flexible carrier are secured by adhesive 12, or the like, to the exterior of a flexible bag or balloon 16 made from an air-tight, moisture impervious, and tear resistant material such as pre viously noted. This balloon 16, in each instance would be of a pre-selected size and general configuration. The balloon is inserted in the container and then inflated to substantially fill the interior of the container. It is then sealed to be maintained at a slight pressure. This inflation expels substantially all the free air from within the container and brings the inhibitor bearing porous carriers into close proximity to the container interior where they are in advantageous positions to most efiectively counteract the moisture carried by the small volume of free air remaining in the container. The container closure 17 is then sealed in a closed, air-tight condition.

Since it is readily recognized that the air borne moisture, foreign gases, and like elements within a closed area are chiefly responsible for any corrosion therein, it now becomes readily evident that the practice of the foregoing method, while not attempting to eliminate all the air from within a closed area, does maintain substantially all the air by volume within the container enclosed in a moisture and air impervious bag or balloon wherein the moisture and foreign corrosive elements borne in that air are prevented from damaging contact with the container interior. Practice of the above method permits the storage of corrodible articles for indeterminable periods of time at an efiiciency of corrosion prevention previously unknown in the art.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 are further illustrations of the 7 application of the method described above. In Fig. 6 there is shown an elongated bag or balloon 16, carrying about the exterior thereof in spaced relationship strips of the porous, impregnated material 10, the balloon being inflated within the bore of the barrel of an artillery weapon 18. In this use of the method, the breech 19 of the weapon is sealed shut, and an air-tight plug 20 or the like is inserted and sealed in the muzzle opening of the weapon barrel 21. In Fig. 7 a like balloon 16 is inflated within the weapon barrel 21, however it is here shown that the entire exterior of the balloon is covered with the porous, impregnated material 10 so that continuous surface contact is maintained between the material 10 and the barrel interior.

In Fig. 7 the flexible, tear resistant, impervious balloon carrying the porous, impregnated material exteriorly thereof is inflated within the interior of a tank vehicle 22, and the vehicle exterior is sealed in substantially an arr-tight, moisture proof condition. Thus, substantially all the air by volume within the now closed area is contained within an air-tight, moisture impervious bag to prevent the corrosive elements in the air from contacting the vehicle interior.

In Figures 9 and 10 the modified form of the porous carrier 10 having a backing sheet or envelope 11 bonded on one surface thereof is shown in several of its many possible applications. First, in Figure 8, there is disclosed an individual gun case 23 which is constructed from the modified form of the inhibitor carrier as shown in Figure 2.

The case 23 consists of a formed portion of the porous, impregnated material 10 adapted to receive a small arm and serve as a case therefor. The porous case is provided with an external cover of a tear resistant, air and moisture proof sheeting 11 which may be bonded on the porous material prior to or after forming of the porous case. A closure 24 is provided in the outer cover which can be sealed by a rupturable plastic coat or the like. It is contemplated that such a gun case could be so constructed as to permit it to serve as a service holster once the seal is ruptured. In addition, it is also contemplated that the case formed from the porous material 10 could, for storage purposes alone be sealed about its entire exterior with a plastic or like envelope sprayed on or applied in any known suitable manner.

In either of the above methods of forming the exterior cover it is further contemplated that upon closing and sealing the case, the latent air in the case could be substantially expelled by the application of pressure to the case forcing the air out or withdrawing the air by suction methods. This additional process would greatly increase the effectiveness of the conditioning.

In Figure 9, the same modified form of the invention is illustrated as utilized in the manufacture of a gun or machinery shroud 25 which includes the pliable, resistant sheet 11 bonded to one surface of the intersticed, impregnated material 10. The shroud 25 is made in a predetermined size and is provided with a closure 26 capable of being sealed in an air-tight condition once the shroud has been applied about the corrodible article to be protected. It is always possible, where this shroud type method is employed, to apply any additional protective coating desired to the exterior of the pliable covering sheet.

In Figure 10 an important adaptation of the present invention is illustrated in the form of a block 27 of the porous material 10 in which is formed a flap member 28 opening into the interior of the block and forming a pocket-like recess 29 therein. Here small roller-bearings 30, for the purpose of illustration, are stored whereby the flap may be closed and the opening periphery thereof and the entire exterior is sealed with an impervious coating such as sprayable Vinylite thus providing an air-tight container and preserving the corrodible articles in a corrosion proof condition.

In the above method, it is again shown that the application of pressure to the exterior of the block 27 prior to scaling the exterior with the plastic envelope or the like in order that substantially all the air will be forced out of the block interior before sealing will increase the effectiveness of the method.

In Figure 11 a container 31 provided with a scalable lid 32 is shown for the purpose of illustrating a method of conditioning the container interior against corrosion during storage thereof. Here a pliable hollow balloon or bag 33 carrying the impregnated material 10 on the exterior thereof is inflated within the container to sub stantially fill the volume thereof. The lid 32 is then sealed shut, and the remaining free air in the container is withdrawn by suitable, known means through an outlet 34 while air from which corrosive elements have been removed, or an inert gas such as helium or freon, is per mitted to enter through 35 to replace the air already in the container. The outlet 34 and inlet 35 are then sealed closed. Thus, an inert, substantially moisture free gas, occupies substantially all that atmospheric volume within the container not contained by the hollow balloon thus retarding oxidation and increasing the effectiveness of the corrosion inhibiting agent carried by the material 10.

From the foregoing it has become readily evident that the present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for inhibiting corrosion in a closed area or container which is of superior efficiency and economy wherein the apparatus is very inexpensive to produce initially and likewise is capable of being re-used time and again.

It is recognized that there are many various applications and modifications of the present invention which are contemplated in the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A method of inhibiting corrosion within a corrodible container comprising applying a corrosion inhibiting agent to the exterior of a flexible balloon, inserting the balloon in the container, inflating the balloon to substantially fill the container, and sealing the container in a closed con- 2. A method of inhibiting corrosion within a corrodible vehicle interior comprising applying a corrosion inhibiting agent to the exterior of a flexible balloon, inflating the balloon Within the vehicle interior to substantially fill the interior thereof, and sealing the vehicle interior in a closed condition.

3. A method of inhibiting corrosion within a corrodible storage container comprising embedding a corrosion inhibiting agent in the interstices of an intersticed material, applying the intersticed material to the exterior of a flexible balloon, inserting the balloon in the container, inflating the balloon to substantially fill the interior of the container, and sealing the container in a closed condition.

4. A method of inhibiting corrosion in the barrel of a corrodible ordnance weapon comprising applying a corrosion inhibiting agent to the exterior of a flexible balloon, inflating the balloon within the barrel to substantially fill the bore thereof, and sealing the ends of the barrel closed.

6 5. A method of inhibiting corrosion within a corrodible container comprising applying a corrosion inhibiting agent to the exterior of a flexible balloon, inserting the balloon in the container, inflating the balloon to substantially fill the container, substantially replacing the air in 2,063,430 Graser Dec. 8, 1936 2,329,908 Johnson Sept. 21, 1943 2,428,861 Waring et a1 Oct. 14, 1947 2,445,152 Poole July 13, 1948 2,521,311 Schwoegler Sept. 5, 1950 2,534,201 Hutter Dec. 12, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 600,328 Great Britain Apr. 6, 1948 

1. A METHOD OF INHIBITING COROSION WITHIN A CORRODIBLE CONTAINER COMPRISING APPLYLING A CORROSION INHIBITING AGENT TO THE EXTERIOR OF A FLEXIBLE BALLOONS, INSERTING THE BALLOON IN THE CONTAINER, INFLATING THE BALLOON TO SUBSTANTIALLY FILL THE CONTAINER, AND SEALING THE CONTAINER IN A CLOSED CONDITION. 